Summary
Overview
This episode examines the tragic 1986 case of twin sisters Jill and Julie Hansen, who were shot and killed when their California home was set ablaze. The investigation quickly focused on their stepbrother Donnie, but significant gaps in the police work and conflicting evidence raised questions about whether investigators got it right or missed other suspects entirely.
The Night of the Fire
In the early morning hours of November 15, 1986, Hans and Betty Hansen awoke to their Willow Creek trailer engulfed in flames. What they initially thought was a tragic house fire quickly revealed itself to be something far more sinister when they discovered their 16-year-old twin daughters had been shot. Julie survived initially and was rushed to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her stomach, while Jill was found dead in the kitchen. Investigators found evidence of arson with two empty gas cans on the property.
- Hans Hansen woke around 3 a.m. to smoke and popping sounds, discovering his bathroom engulfed in flames
- Julie was found outside clutching her stomach, initially thought to be injured by an explosion until doctors discovered she'd been shot at close range
- Jill was found dead in the kitchen during the search of the burned trailer
- Two empty gas cans were found at the scene, the same kind Hans kept in his warehouse, indicating arson
" Julie's stomach injury isn't from the fire. The doctor tells them that she was shot at close range. "
The Investigation Focuses on Donnie
As police investigated, evidence began pointing toward 21-year-old Donnie, Hans's stepson who had been sleeping on the couch that night. Investigators discovered a 12-gauge shotgun hidden in Hans's warehouse with Donnie's palm print, matching shotgun shells in Donnie's car, and learned he had purchased gas in a can days before the fire. Donnie claimed he was woken by the gunshot, saw Julie collapse, and carried her to safety before seeing a "dark figure" in the house.
- A 12-gauge shotgun was found hidden in Hans's warehouse with an obvious palm print on it
- Unspent shotgun shells matching the crime were found in Donnie's car
- Donnie told police he woke to a shotgun blast, saw Julie collapse, and carried her outside but only saw a 'dark figure'
- Donnie had purchased gas in a gas can using the family credit card on Wednesday, two days before the shooting
" Donnie flips out, as if the question was an accusation. He yells at his stepdad that he didn't do it and runs out of the motorhome. "
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